
Damion Alexander captured a 17-second clip of the running javelina on Feb. 21.
A certain viral cellphone video from Tucson continues to spread across the internet like, well, swine flu.
Since it first hit the web a week ago, the now-famous running javelina has spawned international news reports and parody Twitter accounts that have gone viral themselves.
Tucson real estate agent Damion Alexander captured the 17-second clip on Feb. 21 as he rode in the passenger seat of a client’s car, on the way to look at a house.
The video follows an adult javelina as it bounds at surprising speed across the landscaped entryway of the Los Portales Apartments complex on Prudence Road just north of East 22nd Street.
Alexander posted the footage on his real estate company’s Facebook page the next day, and it took off from there.
“It came in from all directions at once,” said Alexander, who is also a major Tucson cycling advocate and a self-described wildlife enthusiast. “When your 18-year-old daughter tells you it’s gone viral, then it’s official.”
The footage has now appeared on SportsCenter and MSNBC.
Alexander said an uncle in Colorado called to tell him he’d seen it on the nightly news there.
It has also been liked and shared on social media tens of thousands of times, prompting clickbait national media stories from everyone from Time to The New York Times.
That has led to even more clicks and more than a little bit of confusion outside of the southwest about just what the heck a javelina is anyway.
As of Saturday morning, Alexander’s original Facebook post had been shared almost 1,000 times, and he’s already using it in his advertising.
It’s all over Twitter, too, where meme masters are having their usual fun with it.
Maybe the most popular offshoot is called “javelina running to,” which sets the video to different songs requested by followers.
At last count, the running javelina had been given more than 80 different soundtracks.
There is Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.”
The panicked peccary runs in slow motion to Vangelis’ “Chariots Of Fire” theme.
For some reason, the most shared version so far appears to be the song “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine.
The account has been up since Tuesday and already has 18,000 followers. (That’s roughly six times more than this verified but not-at-all-bitter reporter has collected in nine years, but who’s counting?)
The Star tracked down the apparent mastermind behind “javelina running to,” a 19-year-old Twitter genius in New Orleans named Teddy Duvall-Martin, but was unable to connect with him for an interview.
He told The New York Times that he didn’t know a pig from a peccary when this whole thing started, but he is “extremely well versed in javelinas now.”
Alexander is not sure why his video has such broad appeal, though he said a lot of people seem hungry for even a few seconds of something unusual and adorable that has nothing to do with politics.
He said more than 50 local television affiliates around the country have contacted him with requests to use his footage.
A couple of days into the frenzy, Alexander decided to license the video — through the website ViralHog, of course — if only to limit the amount of time he would have to spend talking about it.
Once some news outlets found out they would have to pay to use the clip, they lost interest pretty quick.
Those that were willing to pay are now helping Alexander buy the equipment he needs for his next viral hit. “I need a new iPhone,” he said.
(For the record, Alexander did make the video available to some local news outlets for free early on. However, the Star chose to link to his Facebook page.)
Not everyone has enjoyed the show.
“I hate to be the wet blanket,” said Mark Hart, spokesman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, “but in all probability, that javelina was terrified.”
Hart said he decided not to link to Alexander’s video on the department’s social media accounts after watching the clip and hearing some of the details of how it was filmed.
“They can move that fast, but rarely have I seen it. And I’ve seen a lot of javelinas,” he said. “That would be flight,” as in a wild animal’s instinctual fight-or-flight reaction to a threat.
Hart said he wouldn’t classify what Alexander did as harassment, but “we wish people would put themselves in the position of the wildlife when they’re taking photos or video.”
Alexander takes exception to the notion that he was hurting the javelina in some way.
He was simply riding past it in a car and was lucky enough to get his phone out in time to film it.
He said he never got within 50 feet of the javelina. “I wasn’t chasing it down to get it on video,” he said.
If anything, Alexander thinks his clip will increase awareness of wildlife.
It certainly demonstrates just how fast and powerful javelinas can be.
Though they’re not known for being aggressive, it’s never a good idea to corner one.
Maybe the running javelina video will “save someone from getting charged someday,” Alexander said.
And with any luck, it will be good for business.
“If I can get just one real estate listing out of it, I’ll be happy,” he said.
Javelina

A baby javelina hangs out with their mom in Ruth Russell’s backyard on July 23, 2019.
Javelina yawn

Javelina yawn
Southern Arizona Wildlife Babies

Baby Javelina with mom
Javelina visit

Javelinas walking through backyard
Shady Characters On the Prowl

3 of a dozen javelinas sighted across from our house this morning at 7AM
Smile for the camera!

Javelina in our arroyo-"hamming it up"!
Javelina in Benson

In my parents backyard looking for food.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Mark Sadler posted this javelina family photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader John Smith posted this Javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Santanya Santa Cruz posted a photo of this poolside javelina.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Curtis J Kaufman posted this nighttime javelina photo. He wrote, "Had to build a three foot high planter to keep them out of the flowers and vegetables."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted a photo of javelinas snuggling.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Rick Beck posted this photo of javelinas frolicking in Green Valley.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this family photo. She wrote, "It's fascinating watching the families in the wash. From behind a brick wall."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Eunice Gregory-Richard posted this photo taken just outside her back door. "One night they were fighting right by my back door and even bumping up against the door. Scared me to death LOL"
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted photo. She wrote, "Don't worry, there was a high and sturdy brick wall between us! Big yawn!"
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader John Puertas posted this photo of street-crossing javelinas.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this photo of a javelina with "pretty eyelashes."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Mark Sadler posted this photo of a javelina rooting through a bag.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Tré Navarrette posted this photo of thirsty javelinas who turned on the hose for a drink.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Marsha Conner McGaughy used a zoom lens to take this heard photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader John Smith posted this sleeping baby javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Robbi Justice captured this encounter between a dog and javelina. "Glad there's a fence there!"
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Odette Lee Solberg posted this photo by Steve Maushardt. She wrote, "This photo was taken by Steve Maushardt when I first moved away from Tucson and I was homesick! RIP Steve!"
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Kelley Peters posted a photo of these nighttime visitors.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader SJ Schmidt posted this javelina photo. He wrote, "One of those bad boys near Canyon Ranch."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Patricia Canady posted this family javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Kelley Peters took this photo on the way home from the gym in Rancho Sahuarita.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Harold Ebner posted a photo of the three javelinas.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Marlene Leer posted a photo of a herd of javelinas.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Melissa Shafer spotted this mom-and-child team while taking her baby to daycare one morning.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Sandy Shiloh posted a photo of a javelina waking up from a nap.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Veronica Ayala posted this late-night javelina photo. She wrote, "When my son was a month old, they were up for a midnight feeding also."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Santanya Santa Cruz posted a photo of this twosome.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Art Aldama posted a photo of javelinas caught in the act.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Doris Doug Evans posted this javelina photo taken in her yard on Tucson's west side.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Kathy Erickson posted this javelina yard sale photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Facebook reader Bea Herron posted this yawning javelina photo.
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Linda Wallace-Gray took this photo at her home in the Tucson Mountains. "This female javelina had twins although only one is in this picture. If you look closely this baby was just born as it still has its cord. She is a very attentive and caring mother. The herd comes by regularly and are very fun to watch." Submitted by Linda Wallace-Gray. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Helen Horton took this photo of javelina and their babies from her backyard (in The Preserve in Dove Mountain) looking into the desert. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

A cute one of 5 Javelina hanging out in the bushes near the riparian area in Tohono Chul Park Wednesday June 26, 2013, in Tucson, Arizona. There were 3 adults and 2 baby's. Photo by Benjie Sanders/Arizona Daily Star. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

A Javelina asking "what's this?" A herd of Javelina trying to keep warm under a large palo verde tree. Photo by John and Sandy Rees. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

This family of javelinas came to visit on the back patio of a residence on E. Stillwater Drive in Tucson, after one of their "family members" discovered the pleasantries of the property earlier that afternoon. Photo courtesy of Meitie Wilson. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Mama javelina and her two babies in a wash after a rain near her home. 2007. Photo Joyce Williams. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Taken by Emily Sherman on June 20, 2008 near Saguaro National Park, East, of Javelina piglings feeding with their mother. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

I took this in my front yard today. I think it's a great reminder that javelinas are still wild animals and should be given plenty of space. I took this through my kitchen window. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

It may look like these three javelina are playing soccer with a pumpkin snatched from a neighborhood porch, but having fresh pumpkins on the porch can be dangerous to wildlife, pets and people. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

From the Arizona Daily Star's reader gallery. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com, or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Javelinas in Southern Arizona

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 520-573 4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean